With plans to deliver the system in the second quarter of 2023, the commercial deployment of the hydrogen-electric forklifts is expected to start in late 2023, providing port, marina, and warehouse operators in the US, with zero-emission forklifts.

Wiggins opted for hydrogen due to the operating benefits offered by fuel cells including fast refuelling times and the ability to meet a range duty cycles.

Loop’s S300 30kW fuel cell system will power Wiggins’ eBull forklifts to transport boats, bulk cargo, and equipment at ports and marinas.

“We see the increased operational uptime and capacity to achieve higher duty cycles that fuel cell-powered vehicles can offer as key points of difference for our customers,” said Michele Wiggins, CEO of Wiggins Lift Co. “Loop Energy’s commitment to customer support and delivering a high-performing product made it easy to choose them as our technology partner.”

The Californian-based Wiggins was one of the first manufacturers to provide a battery-electric forklift and hopes to be an early-mover in the hydrogen-electric material handling segment.

Ben Nyland, CEO of Loop Energy, commented, “Wiggins’ vehicles operate in some of the world’s busiest and most productive ports. Their decision to choose our fuel cell further validates our technology and hydrogen’s role in transforming this large market segment.”

Speaking at H2 View’s Mobility Snap Summit in November (2022), Karina Kocha, Business Intelligence Manager at gasworld told viewers that by 2030, material handling is likely to take up the majority of hydrogen demand for mobility in North America.

Read more: ‘The stars are aligned’ for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, H2 View’s Mobility Snap Summit hears

Kocha explained, “In the near-term hydrogen mobility in ports is likely to take a lead, because there is already the infrastructure built there.”